Feature · Developing
The Duskbloods Network Test is live
Update · 21 Aug
FromSoftware has cut today's first session short. Citing game-server issues during the opening test, the studio apologised and said it must “regrettably conclude today's network test” — the very server load the test was built to measure. They say they'll keep working on server improvements and share further updates on the remaining sessions.
FromSoftware's Switch 2 exclusive kicks off its Closed Network Test today — the first hands-on with the studio's new multiplayer soulslike. To go with it, the team has published a full online manual walking through controls, the House of Night hub, Kin, actions and more.
About the Network Test
A network test puts a pre-release build of the game in players' hands to check performance before the service goes live. For The Duskbloods that means large-scale network load tests across the game's online systems — and FromSoftware's framing is simple: they want players taking part to help make the game as good as it can be.
What they're testing
Game server load test
Connecting a large number of players simultaneously to verify gameplay while the game servers are under load.
Multiplayer test
Surfacing problems that arise when many people play together across different network environments.
Game balance test
Gathering real-player data on how well the game is balanced when people actually play it together.
Network Test schedule
Every session window, converted for each region:
Fri 21 Aug
Sat 22 Aug
Sat 22 Aug
Sun 23 Aug
Mon 24 Aug
Fri 21 Aug was cut short after server issues, and the remaining sessions now depend on FromSoftware's server fixes — treat everything below as tentative until they confirm.
CEST is the game's own listing; UK times are BST, and US times are Pacific (PDT, UTC−7 in August — an hour ahead of standard PST). Where a Pacific time falls on the previous day, the day is shown. Applications closed 28 July and testers were announced 7 August, so entry is closed — these are just the windows it's playable in. Times may change or be cancelled without notice.
The official online manual
FromSoft's Network Test manual covers Starting the Game, Controls, the Game Screen, Game Basics, the House of Night (your base), Actions, Menus and Credits — a proper primer before you dive into the Dusk battles.
A connection tip from FromSoftware
The team also posted network guidance for the test on X. In their words:
“If using a wireless internet connection while playing The Duskbloods Closed Network Test, you may experience instability depending on your network environment. In this case, please try connecting while near your router/modem, or switching to a wired connection.”
— The Duskbloods' official account on X.
Who to watch
Getting into the closed test yourself is tricky — here are soulslike creators worth following if you want to see it in action.
The bigger picture
The Duskbloods is FromSoftware's Switch 2 exclusive and one of the most anticipated games of the year — the community's already calling it Bloodborne's spiritual successor. Read our full what-we-know feature for the lore, the music and the details. Nintendo runs no trophy or achievement system, so there's no list to track here — but the moment FromSoft's other projects surface one, our Trophy Radar catches it.
The Duskbloods is a trademark of FromSoftware / Nintendo. The manual and any screenshots are theirs — we link out, never republish. Connection guidance quoted from the game's official X account, correct at time of writing.